Essay on America's Longest War

America's Longest War Book Review

The author of this informative "America's Longest War" book series is Dr. George C. Herring. Dr. Herring is a pioneer in his own right as a leading Vietnam War historian. Dr. Herring holds a massive amount of accreditations to his name, ranging from serving in the U.S Navy, to his tenure as a leading historian. George C. Herring began his illustrious and vivid career in history by acquiring his Ph. D. from the University of Virginia. Shortly after, he began his thirty plus year career of teaching at the University of Kentucky, where he has been since 1969. In 1990 Dr. Herring was elected President of the Society for Historians of American Foreign Relations, and has been awarded numerous accreditations, namely fellowships from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Guggenheim Foundation. Dr. Herring is perhaps most notable for his extensive work of literature covering the Vietnam War and the politics surrounding it. Including such works as, "The secret Diplomacy of the Vietnam War: The Negotiating Volumes of the Pentagon Papers" and "Vietnam: A Different Kind of War."

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George C. Herring wrote "America's Longest War" in a linear, chronological order. Herring does this by separating, and giving each paragraph a specific number of years in which the material covered actually occurred. The book starts out with the happenings of the First Indochina War in the opening chapter, which covers 1950-1954. The chapters in "America's Longest War" give detailed information on the people, battles, leaders and societies state of mind during and after the war. This book ends the coverage of the years during Vietnam in chapter seven, which highlights the end of the battle in Vietnam and covers 1969-1973. The last chapter in this edition of "America's Longest War" goes into great depth about politics surrounding American government at the time, society and the fighting that continued in Vietnam after the treaty was signed. With that in mind, the reason that there is no date prearranged for chapter eight is because the postwar effects of Vietnam can still be felt to this day.

Vietnam is perhaps one of, if not the most controversial war in United States history. Everything surrounding the war has controversy including, most importantly, the thoughts and opinions of the average American at that time. When different opinions and mindsets start to appear, the consideration of picking sides in a domestic forum over an international problem (that in itself is a plethora of multisided ideas), starts to loom over the policy makers like a dark cloud of misguided thoughts. Meaning that once a nation goes to war, there has to be a closely unified public opinion of the war, and support for troops in the war, so that political heads make the right decision. In the Vietnam era there were so many different public opinions on the war that, the decision to go to war or avoid war was, and still is disputed to this day. To support his thesis, the author gives historical evidence as to the nature and threat of communism spreading through Asia and then onto other parts of the world. With the information the book has provided, I support the author's thesis that the Vietnam War was inevitable.

Many history books one may read can begin sluggish, and throughout the whole book, remain sluggish. "America's Longest War" begins slightly different, in supporting the authors thesis he starts the book with different facts that lead up to the war. For instance, Herring goes into great detail about Ho Chi Minh's communist roots. "When the Paris Peace Conference ending World War I rejected his (Minh) petition for democratic reforms for Vietnam, he became a founding member of the French Communist Party" (5 Herring). Herring spends the majority of chapter one bringing to light the roots of the Vietnam War starting with the first Indochina War. In addition, the United States long running relationship with France is dissected and scrutinized throughout the beginning of the book. In the closing chapters Herring begins to take on the feel of the times, and how exhausting the war was on America. The majority of the final selections are focused more on the political aspects and the public outcry for hope, and peace. The war began as a fragment on the proverbial "radar screens" of the American citizens and ended up taking family, friends and hope for a future from many. As the disparity of the war grew throughout the years, so does the book's format evolve from a history lesson in the beginning to lives and legacies in the closing chapters. "Demonstrations erupted at campuses across the nation, and the protest took on new force when four students at Kent State University in Ohio and two at Jackson State College in Mississippi were killed in angry confrontations with the National Guard and police" (293 Herring). When U.S. forces invaded Cambodia, the public outcry was phenomenal, and unfortunately in the out lash, public lives were lost.

The Vietnam War was one of choices and decisions, ultimately made by a certain select few world leaders. Perhaps it is possible that the outcome of the war and events surrounding it would have a different product if others held power. That is why personalities during the Vietnam War era are so vital to the history and preservation of the war. Dwight D. Eisenhower held the Presidency at the beginning of the war. Ike was a former general in WWII and his personality was fitting of that position. Eisenhower and his Sec. of State, John Foster Dulles, were believers in the domino theory of Indochina, and wholeheartedly believed and endorsed the idea to stop the spread of communism. The most influential personality of the war was Ho Chi Minh, leader of the NVA and mastermind of the Northern Vietnamese offensive. The NVA would not have existed if it were not for the influential Soviet and Chinese communists. John F. Kennedy defines the personality of the era when he reigned as president. He was always aggressive and colorful about the war, and his presidency. He was ready to endure the hardships of failure to ensure a victory in the future. The president that got the US out of war was less than a hero in the minds of the American people. President Nixon sent troops into Cambodia and was directly involves in the Watergate scandal surrounding his presidency. Both of which caused frustration, anger, and disappointment in America's eyes.

Herring uses a vast arrangement of quotable sources in order to more effectively relay his message and support his thesis to the reading audience. His array of sources range from a biography of Ho Chi Minh, to a small quote from New York Times Magazine, May 28, 1950. The author has researched even the smallest detail to bring the truth behind the Vietnam War to life.

"America's Longest War" is the most detailed, orderly, and informative history book I have read which covers such a short time span in relation to US History. Dr. George C. Herring puts a personal touch on the book, with famous picture clippings from the Vietnam War. The pictures are specifically controversial, and are used to show the emotion and struggle that the world went through at that time. In addition, Herring uses vivid details to make the influential figures of the time come to life, so the reader has a better understanding of the decisions that were made. This book has made a significant impact on Vietnam as a historical study, and is now the most widely used book for history of the Vietnam War on college campuses. Herring backs his thesis, "I think U.S. involvement in Vietnam was a logical, if not inevitable, outgrowth of a world view and a policy- the policy of containment- that Americans in and out of government accepted without serious question for more than two decades" with all of the important facts that make it seem true. It is seemingly evident that Herring has proved a much-debated topic surrounding the war. Being, Should we have gone, or not?

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Essay on Table Tennis

At the age of 14, I was preparing for the National Table Tennis Championships in England. A working class background meant that finances and equipment for training were scarce. I did not have a table tennis table in the house or the funds to hire a table at the local hall. There was a weekly club practice session on a Sunday night. This was my only opportunity for physical practice. My father, a sports teacher of 20 years suggested that I buy a book and video on stroke play and table tennis in general. The research article I have found highlights some of the benefits of mental practice both in conjunction with or in the absence of physical training.

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As my physical training could only by performed on a weekly basis, I needed to make the most of the short time I had. I set up a programme by which I would spend at least one hour per day with my bat in hand and mentally engaging the games I would face in the tournament. I went through the many options within the 3,5 & 7 ball attack and the possible returns from these combinations; the returns from each different type of serve; which serve would produce the best options for a winning shot; how to speed up the game; how to slow down the game; how I could beat my opponent before I had played a shot. The book I purchased had a flick book section at the edge of each page. As you read through each section, there was a 150 flick, flick book sequence of the shot/serve/return depending on the section. Going through the shots in the flick book and then visualising myself in the picture allowed me to practice the shots without being at the table or having an opponent.

As my "coach" was not able to be with me during this practise time, I had to be very strict with myself. I had the desire to compete to the best of my abilities at the Nationals and the only way that I saw I could achieve this, with my limited resources, was to be very meticulous in my mental training. I was prepared for anything that might arise at the Nationals. The research article shows that "Mental practice is effective". As my mental practice was complimenting my weekly physical practice I was receiving the optimum benefits. As I had been playing table tennis for a year by this stage, I felt I was beyond the novice stage. The research shows that the fact that I had reached a minimum standard of proficiency, I was able to gain greater benefits from this mental practice. The fact that I was able to actually see myself in the flick book images was a huge advantage to me. The research shows that by using internal perspective, I was able to gain greater benefits from my time. The time spent rehearsing mentally not only helped me to develop my motor skill acquisition and decision making but the research shows that this practice also helped to reduce my pre-competition anxiety. Looking back I would agree that I had very little anxiety when it came to the competitions. I truly believe that this was due to my mental practice.

Although I had dedicated significantly less time to physical practice in comparison to my opponents, I feel that my time spent during these practices was more productive as I had greater time on task due to my mental practice. The Nationals went well that year, I received a letter in the mail two days later requesting my presence on a National training camp for an under 16 International game with the Home Nations of Scotland, Wales and Ireland and a match with Yugoslavia at the end of the year.

I believe that this training technique emphasises the adage that "knowledge is power". I went into the table tennis Nationals with every possible combination of possibilities that may arise. Some of these did arise and I was able to overcome them to win the tournament. By transferring this technique into my other sports I feel that I have been able to achieve success at a greater level than my competitors. As long as my mental training is complimenting my physical training I will continue to use it.

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A Land Remembered Essay

“A Land Remembered” is a story of three generations of MacIvey family. The story begins in 1858 when Tobias and Emma MacIvey arrive in the Florida with their son Zech and it ends up in 1968 when Zech decides to die in Miami. A land remembered is a rich story in Florida history with starts wild life and shows how the first generation struggles with surviving their life, second generation has put their root in Florida soils, and how the third generation got the wealthiest in these lands.

The first generations of MacIveys had many difficulties at the early stages of being in Florida. After a while they learned how to continue to exist and making money. The MacIveys consisted of Tobias who was a father and husband, Emma who was the mother, and Zech who was the son of them.

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The family decided to move from Georgia to Northern Florida to escape from the Civil War. Tobias and his family learned many new things to survive their lives. For instance, Tobias killed raccoons to trade for supplies that how they were poor and their life were hard. In the same way, they experienced many troubles that turned their life more difficult than before. For example, once a time Tobias had joined the federals to help them, that time soldiers who were federals attacked Tobias barn, Emma, and Zech. The family lost everything what they had. However, he struggled with all those difficulties. He was a strong man to continue to live in the wild life. Also, he was a helpful man who helped many times Indians who had many problems with white people. Tobias showed many times that he was not only a fair man, but also he would not tolerate prejudice in others. He was the founder of the family, and the one of the person who got them rich. He knew how to survive, and he was a very wise man, yet very stubborn and sometimes very naive. He knew he had to figure something out to make him a wealthy man. First he started with con skins, that didn't go very well. Then he went to trying to catch cattle and he made the family rich. MacIvey Empire began in Kissimmee with to capture wild cows and make a drive to Punta Rasa and sell them. After a while doing these drives and so many of them this large, set Tobias up to be a rich old man, but he didn't know what to do with his money he just kept it to have. Now, Tobias was the main man, he ran everything, but his wife Emma was always at his side. She was the smartest person in the family. She knew that what she has to do, Tobias could not be successful to handle many things without Emma. When the family in trouble or person who was the member of the family, she always gave advices that open the other people eyes to see that what is true or wrong. She was a great mom, she taught Zech things he would have never learned if he were just with Tobias. And the same about him with Tobias, he learned things from him that his mother could never have taught him.

The second generations of the MacIvey family, Zech and his wife Glenda, had some differences and similarities with the first generation. Zech was a little bit different than his father who believed that they don't need to buy a land. But, Zech knew what was happening around the land, this land would be all over the people and the land would be valuable. Zech bought a land without his father knowledge. He did not consult with Tobias because he knew that Tobias was thinking different than others. Tobias thought that land was enough for all people who were living around there. They would be free to graze the cows, choose the area to build a house, or grove to orange trees. It was a gift from the God for everybody. However, Zech knew that it was not work that way, and Tobias was so happy for now. One day someone would be there with deed and they would get rights to stop them. So he went out to the land sellers, and bought up tons of it all over. Also Tobias was too stubborn to admit he was wrong. All those reasons Zech did not tell to Tobias and he shared with his mother what he was planning Florida and he saved all the deeds in his draw. He was going to use them later when necessary. Zech and his father both loved their women very much. When Glenda joined the MacIvey family, she was like Emma. She has very strong personality. She is ready to do what she has to do for her family especially for Zech. When family lost Emma, Glenda did everything for her family. Zech offered someone for help to her, but each offer was refused.

“Glenda assumed all of the chores that once were Emma's domain, the cooking and washing and housecleaning, never complaining or asking for help.” (Smith.293) She was stubborn as MacIvey family. Once time, she was pregnant but she wanted to drive with family. Emma tried to stop her but she could not and told her “You are a MacIvey for sure. You are as stubborn as Tobias or Zech ever hoped to be. I'll share your secret under one condition.”(Smith.234). She was also smart because, she was able to see what is going on with grazing a herd. She many times gave advices to Zech about buying a land and fence the land that they have. And they didn't have to go Punta Parsa and tell him.

The third generation of the family was Sol and his girl friend Bonnie, this generation had a lot of good business in Florida rather than others but there were some ethical problems with nature. Sol was also smart with business. For example, when Sol and his family reached the Palm Beach, he saw a store that had sold birds. After a little conversation he realized that prices for birds pretty much high. After that he just bought wooden cages and tried to sell birds, which costs twenty-five dollars apiece which meant cheaper than the store. He made very good profits from birds. He earned three hundred dollars. He bought a land from Fort Dallas with that money. He was able to see that this land will be very valuable one day. There was a pretty good beach and the railroad was coming soon. And trader told him “We are going to name the village Miami. It is Seminole for “very large”. You will see people if you stay long enough. As I say, you ain't making no mistake.” (Smith.329) Sol was a millionaire, he had a farm, and hat had a very well market. Then he also had the orange groves in Kissimmee. He had built a house/bank in Miami, and stocked it with his own personal money. This made him very wealthy also. Sol came from a line of very smart successful men. He carried on this tradition, to the point of its down fall, where he had helped destroy most of Florida's natural wonders, this his half brother Toby Cypress hated him for it, and they didn't talk for years. Sol met with Bonnie at the restaurant, which she was working as a waitress. She was unhappy to work there and first time someone gave to her a compliment. And suddenly Sol liked her because her frankness reminded him, his mother. Bonnie helped him as Glenda did Zech. She was his right hand. Her advices were always right like Glenda. Glenda saw what would be happen at the future and she felt that they had to buy a land for future and she knew it would no longer to do cattle business. And Bonnie was smart as Glenda. When Sol felt anger to himself Bonnie explained to him why he should not think like that like Glenda did. Then Glenda wanted to marry with Zech like it happened to Sol, Bonnie wanted to marry with him. Also Bonnie wore her hair like Glenda whose blonde ponytail over left shoulder.

A land remembered gives the generations differences and similarities at McIvey family during the early stages of Florida history. First generation had very complicated times at the beginning. However, they fought for it and with the help of nature, they got survived. Second generation has expanded their root to Florida. Ironically, third generation got very wealthy but they damaged Florida nature.
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Essay on Vandalism

In the late 60's, early 70's, graffiti sub culture is appearance frequently in some main cities of The U.S. Then the graffiti sub culture began to filtrate throughout the world, due mainly to its association within the hip-hop culture. In the major cities of Australian, the graphitic artistes also doing their work round the cities. Is graffiti a real culture and can affluent in art categories or it only is a kind of vandalism and always effect people's life?

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The definition of art is "expression or making of something beautiful; subjective to taste and values that it will be debatable". By no means, is graffiti is not a form of expression. In fact, it is one of the most expressionistic art form there is. It could directly express what the artist's thinking and desire. Graffiti is not art or literature in the conventional sense of the term, but it is an expression of people's inner feeling, and therefore just as expressive and even more raw, than polished art. Graffiti existed in the Greek and Roman Empires of ancient times. "Pompeii Hadrians Villa at Tivoli, The Doums Aurea of Emperor Ner In Roma, which have been inherently known for their beauty and novelty, yet graffiti exists there." Although, most people misunderstand graffiti, absolutely, it is a form of art, and it can affluent in art categories.

Graffiti is created by ordinary people, not just scholars or professional artists, which means that it often consists more of everyday thought and idea which can related to everyone, if everyone would take the chance to try and understand the meaning behind the writing on the wall. So, it also is the most random art, which don't need so much limit and rules.

The argument against graffiti that it is effect people's life a lot. Although, the graffiti artists use this form of arts to show their art faculty, there are some Vandal use graffiti to abreact their angry, and they even mince the people whom they hated or angry with. As a result these, the Vandal's graffiti means that gangs are moving into their neighborhood , sometimes with crime . So, in psychologically it makes people feel unsafely and fear. In addition, graffiti also affect the economy a lot. Graffiti is always appeared in the area, which are not so develop, and lack of security. "According to the National Association of Realtors, perpetuity, located in neighborhood where there is graffiti vandalism loses 25% of their value." Resident often per airs the appearance of graffiti and pass by a sign that a downward spiral has began, even though this may not be true.

Every year, the government spends a lot in cleaning up the graffiti. "There is Hugh public costs associated with graffiti, an estimated $12 million a year is spent cleaning up graffiti in the U.S." Government using a great deal of manpower and financial resources to put and end to graffiti vandalism.

To conclusion, graffiti is an expressionistic form of art. However it affect people's lives from psychology and economy. As a result, graffiti sub culture should be control under government management and make graffiti as a "real" culture in people's mind.

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Do Not Go Gentle into that Good Night Essay

"Do Not Go Gentle into that Good Night" Poetry Analysis

In the poem "Do not go gentle into that good night" Dylan Thomas tells the story of a young man who encourages his father to fight rather to accept death. This poem has a lot to do with thanatology, which is the study of death and dying. Grief and rebellion are used throughout this poem. He gives examples of how "wise men," "good men," "wild men," and "grave men" "rage against the dying of the light." He then begs his father to do the same. The son is pretty much telling his father that he needs to rebel against death. In "Do not go gentle into that good night," every first and third line rhymes. Also, the first, third, and fourth lines of the final four-lined "quatrain" end, rhyme with "night" or "light.

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It is unfeasible to analyze this poem without some knowledge of Dylan and the relationship with his father. The poem was written to his father who was dying painfully of throat cancer. Dylan had much love and respect for his father. His love of words and of literature was a great impact on his life due to his father who was an English teacher at his school.

In deep respect for his father, it was arduous for Dylan to see the old man as a victim of a horrifying illness. Throughout Dylan's life, he saw his father as a person totally in control of his emotions, and actions. Dylan often saw how his father was a winner, and was not the type of person to accept failure. Therefore on seeing him vainly struggling and losing against this illness, Dylan wrote the poem almost as a direction to his father not to give up on life and to strive to live.

All of the lines consist of seven syllables with the exception of the closing line of each verse and the third line of the second verse. The reader can also apprehend that almost all of the syllables are monosyllable. The "rhythm" is created through a strict pattern. One can also tell that the tone in the first and last verses of the poem is "imperative." An example would be of Dylan orders his father to battle the disease. Do not go gentle into that good night" means to not slip away into death without a fight. It suggests to not being gentle about death, while "good night" is equal to death, not essentially something displeasing, but undeniably something permanent. The words "good night" imply several meanings within the poem. We say "good night" to people as the last thing we communicate to them each day. Dylan often linked death with sleep in his poetry, while also to have a "good night" would have been a reoccurring expression to the sick. Dylan distinguished a "good night" as a gentle way in connection to foreseeable death. The quote "Old age should burn and rave at close of day" explains how the old man should not accept death. In other words, wondrous life is too precious to be given up meekly, according to Dylan. This line is almost self-explanatory.

The next four verses directly address men of certain qualities - wise men, good men, and wild men, and great men are used to attribute his father. These verses hint a reason why such individuals might protest against oncoming death.

Another quote with a given meaning would be the following: "Though wise men at their end know dark is right, because their words had forked no lightning they" meaning that wise men anticipate and recognize the predictability of death, and how "dark is right." The person although should still be regretful of their own individual death in connection that they feel that they did not make full use of their lives. Dylan's father had been a teacher all his life.

"Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay" meaning even the best of men yearn for appreciation. Many of these men have dreams of moving away to somewhere where their talent might be more cherished. In other words, approaching death means that this cannot be put into action. Thomas senior had been disregarded for promotions several times during his career at Swansea Grammar School and Dylan knew how much this really did irritate his father.

"Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight, and learn too late they grieved it on its way " In respect of all of the celebration and emotions shown during life, at the end of the day when the sun is soon to set, only heartache and sorrow remain. Dylan's father was an emotional man. Throughout the poem, Dylan was encouraging his father to fight death rather than to tolerate his own passing.

"Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay." Approaching death might be an enlightening and inspiring experience and perhaps even seen as a unique insight into the universe and to "the meaning of life" is to come. Why not hold on to the moment for as long as possible? Dylan's father, a highly intelligent man had also been blind for some time.

"And you my father, there on the sad height, curse, bless me now with your fierce tears, I pray" is a direct catchphrase to grasp life.

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A Clack of Tiny Sparks Essay

During the stage of Early Adolescence, where hormonal changes occurs rapidly, I realized that there is always a confusion the gender, and sometimes it comes with the attraction to the sex.

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Cooper began his story with Theresa Sanchez, a ninth grader who is way beyond her years; with plucked eyebrows, painted nails and even being the tallest among the girls in school. She signifies, maturity; she is truthful and honest and non-judgmental. She is also the first person to notice that Cooper is a "fag". Theresa Sanchez is a very important character in Cooper's story, because she bridges the reality to Bernard Cooper's sexuality.

Grady Rodgers possesses athletic prowess, an inveterate backslapper, a formidable wrestler, a wizard on basketball and at this age would be very attractive not to mention of him having a charmed life. Seeing Grady shot from the pool, shaking water from his orange hair, freckled shoulders shining, - Cooper became aware of his suppressed admiration to the opposite that he could not rationalize. Swimming provided him with sexual fantasy probably for the fact that it tickles his fancy and he likes the feel of the riffled water to his skin.

He attended the "make-out party" to find out for himself or better still to give himself the chance to feel how it is to be with girls and hopefully to distract him from having all this crazy fantasy about the same sex. His experiences at the party didn't change anything and I think this is where he began to realize that he indeed is a "fag".

He ends his description of the party "clack of tiny sparks" because with the switching of the light on and off goes his emotional maturity and the realization of reality.

Essay on JFK Movie

Movie Review Essay: "JFK"

I don't believe that Oliver Stone nor any other individual associated with the research and execution of this film has the slightest idea about who killed President John F. Kennedy. The screenwriters blatantly admit this fact in mentioning that, "even the shooters don't know who killed JFK." This film is not concerned with the facts of the assassination, but with feelings. The film, JFK, accurately reflects the society's national state of mind following the gloomy afternoon of November 22, 1963.

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We feel the whole truth has not been told, that somehow maybe the CIA, the FBI, Castro, the anti-Castro Cubans, the Mafia, Russians, or all of the above were involved. Oliver Stone focuses on this horrible event in order to form an argument about the government of the United States. The government is not the holy angel that many Americans perceive and expect it to be. Just as evil exists in our society so does it in the body that governs it. Though we don't expect the government to reveal its deepest most reserved secrets we do insist that it follow a moral and loyal code, the truth. In our quest for this truth we have discovered more than one clandestine deficiency in our government, some of which we have been successful in uncovering (Watergate) and others with largely a degree of failure (Roswell, JFK). Throughout JFK Oliver Stone engages two widely held beliefs: don't believe everything you hear and don't trust everyone. These two sole factors are the basis of JFK and Stone's arguments against the validity of the government. Through the utilization of JFK Oliver Stone directly denounces the report presented by the Warren Commission explaining the assassination of John F. Kennedy and emblematically condemns the government for all the dishonesty and deception that it has fed its people.

It is human nature to question the validity of certain events throughout our history. From Roswell to the assassination of JFK, conspiracies have long spotlighted our curiosity of the unknown. We are all aware of the existence of government secrecies. This notion of the unknown makes us question our perception of reality and truth, in effect increasing our paranoia of the unreliability of our governing body. It is this deviousness that Oliver Stone vividly portrays and Jim Garrison so faithfully contends in the film, JFK. Stone avoids facts that don't suit his purpose and manipulates several separate theories so that they all become a part of Garrison's investigation. The bottom line of this film is the demolition of the "lone gunman" assassination theory. He argues that it is unfeasible for Oswald to fire six shots in 2.6 seconds , that too many facts surrounding the whereabouts of Oswald on Nov. 22 and the assassination were tainted and blurred by covert units of the government. Stone paints several detailed scenarios of a conspiracy to murder the President that are so persuasive you find yourself almost believing what he says. He appears to hold the government accountable for not providing a plausible convincing truth and blatantly withholding information. It is a duty of the government to provide security for its people, when this security is shaken it must stand behind them to comfort and calm. In the case of September 11th the government did just that, though following the events of November 22, 1963 the opposite could be observed. The government, instead of upholding the desires for truth from it people, raised its court hammer and with a finalizing thump forced a fallible conclusion on to the public with a "take it or leave it" attitude. In doing so the government blurred the line between fact and fiction, truth and falsehood. Those who wish to continue a search for truth may do so. But with much evidence believed to be tainted or destroyed the truth has already had a private funeral to which the public was not welcomed.

JFK is not a film that makes an argument about the government; it is a film, which poses questions about "The System" of which the government is a part. This System consists of five key forces (all of which in the end boil down to money, the root of all evil): the power of money and markets, corporate power, our political process or election through money, the power of government, and the media (which helps protect the private interests of those who can afford it). The massive power of this organized system has the ability to grind down the individual to meaningless insignificance; the individual, a pillar of our society. It is an elusive totalitarian power which is too complex for the average American to perceive. This System creates the mechanism by which opposition can be wiped out, where an individual's inquiry about the validity of a certain aspect of "The System" can result in permanent silence. The coalition rarely oversteps its boundaries, in order to keep warm beneath the blanket of democratic justice. Yet, as typical of human nature, it occasionally losses sight of these boundaries and oversteps them. In such rare occasions the wind blows strong allowing a quick glimpse at the unveiled naked body before it is again concealed, as it was in the assassination of JFK. Our subconscious paranoia catches on to these quick flashes, though unable to make out a detailed picture, can only speculate on their beliefs by forming conspiracy theories.

I think that many people in history who had power were bumped off because they had power and certain interests they wanted to attain through the use of that power. This is a rule of life. We all know if you've got power, you better watch your back because people are going to be jealous, and envy and jealousy are reigning emotions in this life. Never underestimate the power of jealousy and the power of envy to destroy. Julius Caesar was killed as such. It's a given that many popes, kings, and queens, and countless others in power though history, have been removed by opponents with common interest that differ from their own. Why should American history be any different than Asian or European history?

Stone's description of the film as a myth is both true and "truth." Myth is too often equated with fiction or ignorance, but in actuality it is the best representation of the truth that mortals can fashion about the perceived unknown. The "truth", the created myth, of JFK is not to give the final word on the assassination, but to give the truth of the critics, the researchers who's ideas reflect his own. The assassination of JFK will stand indefinitely as a record of how we felt and to this day feel. How the American people suspect that there is more to the government then is or ever will be revealed. JFK is a brilliant reflection of our unease and paranoia, our restless dissatisfaction of being unaware of the whole truth.

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